Cleanliness next to... What was that?

Travelling to office has become an ordeal owing to various reasons. MAD traffic and the pollution, horrible roads with numerous pot holes, broken dividers, precariously hanging lamp and electric posts, hoardings, larger-than-life posters of politicians, 'film stars' - the list is endless!

People have simply lost the basic sense of cleanliness. Civic sense is zilch! Spitting where ever they please, throwing all sorts of garbage and of course for converting roads into the largest loo!

I shudder to think of the obnoxious gases that I inhale everyday. Fuel emissions, sewer fumes, malodour from rotting garbage and the retch-inducing urine stench. Yuck! Yuck!! Yuck!!!

I cringe when people make disparaging remarks about our country and compare it unfavourably with the US (mostly the US, it is always the US! LOL!). But then, they only say what they see and what is true. How much can you defend when you know for yourself the pathetic state the country seems to have gone!

Last week, an electric pole near our house caught fire. It was burning very heavily and despite numerous phone calls, no one came to put out the fire. When someone called to the fire service department, he was asked to call the Electricity dept. They in turn directed him to complain to the Chennai corporation! Finally, the residents got buckets filled with mud and after several attempts put out the fire. But, unable to reach the upper part of the pole, it was still smouldering!
No authority came that night. What if it had been a full-fledged fire accident? There were numerous cars and other vehicles parked, electric and telephone cables were hanging dangerously close. What if it had been a little slum area with thatched houses??

I am totally frustrated with this 'system'. Whatever that may mean. What is happening to all the tax money that we pay religiously? No, really, where exactly does it go? I understand cribbing doesn't get us anywhere and people need to be cautious, sensible and all that.. We can educate them on basic civic sense, we can teach them not to throw garbage, not to defile public places, not to spit where they will and not to drive like they own the road.

But doesn't the Government have a far more important role to play? Why can't they lay proper roads, close those damn manholes, build some public toilets, empty those overflowing trash bins, clear the drain and sewerage pipes to prevent water-logging.

I thought these are just basic things that ensures smooth running of a city. But I guess, not. The people at power seem more interested in things that happen in neighbouring cities, states and country!

Earnest appeal, please keep your house in order before poking your nose elsewhere.